advice

Richard O’Hare is one of the founders of Orillo Films, and works within the company as a cinematographer, drone pilot, producer and director.

As a production company Orillo work all over the world with clients such as Dulux, Jack Wills, and Toyota, but they’re also known for their other creative endeavours in events and merchandise, including their outdoor cinemas, clothing, and their Orillo branded Vodka.

In this episode we discuss the motivation behind taking on these extra creative challenges which aren’t necessarily part of your core business, we get into the ethics and morality of creating branded marketing content, as well as the murky waters of taking on free work, and Richard offers his advice on growing your company, through hiring for passion to build a strong and resilient team.

Mim Robson is an artist and workshop facilitator working primarily in ephemeral art with natural materials, often within the landscape. She creates temporary artworks ranging from delicate and vibrant flower and leaf mandalas, to huge scale beach artworks.

Mim also runs Keeping it Crafty, putting on creative socials, events and workshops aimed at providing opportunities to enhance creativity, learn new skills, meet new people, inspire, and develop community.

In this episode we chat about what it’s like to create in front of an audience, Mim’s approach to working in the creative arts and how that’s allowed her to generate an income, as well as the importance of creating work just for yourself, simply because you enjoy it.

Joanne Coates is a documentary photographer, and the founder of Lens Think – a social enterprise set up to promote diversity in the creative arts. Lens Think put on socials and pop up exhibitions in locations all around Yorkshire, and help share artist opportunities.

In Joanne’s work as a photographer she is interested in working life and class inequality, which is represented in her diverse portfolio of personal and commissioned work. She has been published by the BBC, Vice, The Telegraph and The Guardian, and has had her approach to photography described as democratic and poetic.

In this episode we discuss how photography can be used as a medium to highlight under represented issues, the social responsibility artists have when saying they are giving people a voice, and the need for a more representative generation of artists to become the creative future of tomorrow.

“I found a vent for my creativity within the classroom. There’s an artistry in creating those kind of engagements.”

Colin Jackson (@colin_clp) has worked in arts & cultural education for 28 years, and is the founder of Creative Learning Partnerships, a consultancy, project management and event management company specialising in working with young people and communities.

In this episode we discuss the early experiences that drew Colin towards a career in the arts, about passive vs active learning and the teachers that go the extra mile to make a difference for their students, and how technology will affect creativity and education in the future.

“Being an artist is just doing it. You can’t question whether or not someone is an artist if they’re making something.”

Jeff Clark is the co-owner of the Art of Protest Gallery, an urban contemporary art gallery based in Little Stonegate. Formerly a photography teacher, and a practicing photographer when he gets the time, we discuss the work Jeff is drawn to both as an artist himself and as a curator.

We also chat about what a digital revolution means for our town centres, its effect on retail and social spaces, the need for story behind any good work or product, and the need to create social happenings in our city.

Heather Niven is an artist and musician, and the head of Science City York, an organisation tasked with supporting the science, digital and creative sectors in the city and stimulating their growth.

We discuss the projects Science City are running and the wider problems facing York and its future, we dive into Heather’s personal work and discuss the themes different artists are drawn to, as well as how to stay on top of multiple projects and make the most of your time.

Lauren Roberts (@LaLaLaLauren911) is a tattoo artist specialising in watercolour tattooing. She has developed a distinct abstract painted style, building up her portfolio and reputation as an incredible artist. In 2017 she opened a studio of her own, Adara, with business partner Josh Dixon, which has just completed its first successful year.

In this episode we discuss how you develop a style and advance your career, including the natural instinct to want to take on new challenges, we chat about working backwards to reverse engineer what it is you want in life, and we remind ourselves not to overthink things and get worked up about the small details.

In this episode we discuss their upcoming WW1 centenary memorial project, taking place in in Rowntrees park, how where you live affects the themes you choose to explore in your work, how art can change your perception on history and heritage, and the all important question of why humans have the drive to create.

Rose Drew (@rosebonecrone) is a poet, anthropologist, book publisher and events manager. Along with her partner Alan she runs Stairwell Books, and has co-hosted York Spoken Word Poetry & Prose Open Mic since January 2006.

In this episode we cover the creative process of bringing a poem to life, how to prepare for public speaking, we touch on politics and soaring house prices as Rose reads a poem about Grenfell Tower, as well as the importance of the arts in developing self-confidence.